Make DIY cloud dough in minutes with only 3 ingredients! Soft, silky, colorful, and fun for kids. Quick sensory play recipe & storage tips.
Keep little hands busy with this simple, budget‑friendly play dough you can make in minutes. This soft, silky “cloud” dough is made with conditioner and cornstarch (non‑edible) and comes together in under 5 minutes.
Why you’ll love this DIY cloud dough
- Only 2–3 household ingredients
- Ready in 5 minutes
- Easy to tint and scent
- Fun fine‑motor activity for rainy days, classrooms, and parties
Safety first: Cloud dough uses hair conditioner and is not edible. Supervise young children and keep away from mouths and eyes.
Cloud Dough Recipe (3 ingredients, no‑cook)
A silky, squishable dough—great when you want something fast and you don’t want the Play‑Doh® smell.
Yield: ~2 cups dough • Time: 5 minutes • Good for: single‑day play or short‑term storage
You’ll need
- 2 cups cornstarch (a.k.a. cornflour)
- 1 cup hair conditioner (any inexpensive, white kind works best)
- Gel food coloring or washable finger paint (optional)
Instructions
- Mix base: In a large bowl, add 1 cup conditioner and 2 cups cornstarch. Stir with a spoon until shaggy.
- Knead: Switch to your hands and knead 1–2 minutes until smooth and dough‑like. If crumbly, add 1 tsp conditioner at a time. If sticky, dust in 1 tbsp cornstarch.
- Color: Divide and tint with a drop or two of gel food coloring or a squirt of washable finger paint. Knead until the color is even.
Notes
- Feels soft and silky; perfect for pretend baking sets and stamps.
- Because it’s made with conditioner, avoid contact with eyes; wash hands after play.
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Coloring & scent ideas
- Natural hues: beet or berry powder (pink), turmeric (gold), spirulina (green), cocoa (brown). Mix a pinch into the dry ingredients.
- Vibrant colors: gel food coloring gives the best saturation with minimal moisture.
- Scents: a drop of vanilla, almond, or kid‑safe essential oil (lavender, orange) mixed into the conditioner before adding cornstarch.
Storage & shelf life
- Store in an airtight container or zip bag up to 3–5 days. If it dries out, knead in a pea‑size amount of conditioner.
Troubleshooting
- Too sticky: Knead in a tablespoon of cornstarch.
- Too dry/crumbly: Add ½–1 tsp conditioner.
- Color stains hands: Switch to gel color and use less; finish kneading on parchment.
FAQ
Is cloud dough edible?
No. Cloud dough contains hair conditioner and is for sensory play only with supervision.
Can I add glitter?
Use cosmetic‑grade glitter only, or try chunky craft glitter for older kids. Avoid with toddlers.
How do I clean up?
Let crumbs dry, then sweep or vacuum. For fabric, scrape, let dry, and brush off—then launder.
I would have loved this as a kid. So fun!!
This is so fun! My kids would love it. Thanks for sharing at The Makers!
Corey @ TinySidekick.com
It's always fun when they can do hands on activities.
Ooo! This is a great idea! I will have to add this to my list. Stopping by from the hop! 🙂 Newest follower. 🙂
So awesome! Thanks for sharing!!
I've made a fair share of homemade playdoh before, but I've never used conditioner! I think I will try it out 🙂
So simple! I'd love it if you'd share this at my link party, going on now!http://www.accidentallywonderful.blogspot.com/2014/02/accidentally-wonderful-wednsday-4.html
The look on Carson's face is hilarious!
I might actually manage making this! thank you for linking up with the #pinitparty
Awesome!! I will try it with my pre-schoolers, this will keep them busy. Thank you!
For how long will it stay soft